Madeline Bell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Madeline Bell
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Bell on stage in 2016
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| Background information | |
| Born | July 23, 1942 Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | Error: Need valid death date (first date): year, month, day |
| Genres | Soul |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1965–present |
| Labels | RPM, RCA, Columbia, HMV, Philips, Pye |
| Associated acts | Sandpebbles Dusty Springfield, Blue Mink, Ashman-Reynolds, Spike Edney's All Star Band (S.A.S.), Bradford Singers |
Madeline Bell (born July 23, 1942) is an American soul singer. She became famous in the UK during the 1960s and 1970s. She was a member of the pop group Blue Mink. Madeline first came to the United States in 1962. She was part of a gospel show called Black Nativity with the vocal group Bradford Singers.
Contents
Early Life and Music Career
Madeline Bell was born in Newark, New Jersey, in the United States. She started her career as a 'session singer.' This means she sang backup for other famous artists. Some of these artists included Dusty Springfield and Donna Summer.
Her first big solo song was a cover of "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me." This song was originally by Dee Dee Warwick. Madeline's version did very well on the US Billboard Hot 100 music chart.
Working with Famous Artists
In 1968, Madeline sang backup and duets on songs by Serge Gainsbourg. These included "Comic Strip" and "Ford Mustang." In 1969, she added her voice to the Rolling Stones song "You Can't Always Get What You Want." She also sang backup for Donovan, especially on his 1969 hit "Barabajagal." This song was recorded with The Jeff Beck Group.
Madeline also sang backup on Joe Cocker's "Bye Bye Blackbird" in 1969. This song featured a guitar solo from Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin. Her version of Paul McCartney's "Step Inside Love" was also a small hit in the US.
Joining Blue Mink
Madeline then joined the pop group Blue Mink. With this group, she had many Top 20 hits in the UK. Some of their popular songs were "Melting Pot", "Our World", and "Banner Man." Before joining Blue Mink in 1969, she sang solo. Her cover of "Picture Me Gone" is still a favorite in Northern Soul music today. Another popular song from 1968 was "What Am I Supposed to Do." This song was co-written with John Paul Jones, who later joined Led Zeppelin.
Television and Film Work
In 1973, Madeline hosted a BBC television show called Colour My Soul. It aired on BBC Two and ran for nine episodes. Famous guests like John Paul Jones appeared on the show.
John Paul Jones also arranged and produced Madeline's 1973 album, Comin' Atcha. She also sang for the movie A Touch of Class in 1973. She provided backup vocals for Elton John's 1972 album, Honky Chateau.
More Collaborations
Madeline has sung backup for many other artists. In 1975, she performed with Sunny and Sue at the Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden. They sang backup for Germany's entry, "Ein Lied kann eine Brücke sein." She also worked with Kiki Dee and Lesley Duncan.
In 1976, she sang backing vocals on We Can't Go on Meeting Like This by the band Hummingbird. That same year, she sang on Yes drummer Alan White's solo album Ramshackled.
She also became the lead singer for the French disco group Space. She sang on two of their albums. One of her lead songs, "Save Your Love For Me" (1978), was very popular in many countries. She also sang backup for French artist Cerrone and appeared on Giorgio Moroder's 1979 album, E=MC².
Since the 1970s, Madeline Bell has continued to sing solo. She has also performed in many stage shows. She lives in Spain, where her husband, drummer Barry Reeves, passed away in 2010. She still tours Europe regularly, singing jazz and popular songs. In 1982, she added background vocals to the fantasy film Alicja. She worked with John Paul Jones again in 1985. She sang two songs for the soundtrack album Scream for Help.
Madeline was also the voice behind some famous advertising campaigns in the 1980s. She sang for Brooke Bond D tea bags and for British Gas' "Wonderfuel Gas" ads.
Solo Music Albums
- 1967: Bell's a Poppin'
- 1968: Doin' Things
- 1971: Madeline Bell
- 1973: Comin' Atcha
- 1976: This Is One Girl
- 1988: Beat out That Rhythm on a Drum
- 1992: City Life (with Georgie Fame)
- 1993: Madeline
- 1993: Have You Met Miss Bell
- 1995: Girl Talk
- 1995: Christmas Card
- 1998: Yes I Can: A Melting Pot
- 2000: Blessed
- 2004: Blue Christmas
- 2011: Tribute to Ray Charles
- 2013: Together Again with David Martin
- 2014: Singer: The Musical
Albums with Alan White
- 1976 : Ramshackled
Albums with Space
- 1977: Magic Fly
- 1977: Deliverance
- 1978: Just Blue
- 2011: From Earth To Mars
See also
In Spanish: Madeline Bell para niños
